Etching-machine.



W- S- EATONL STORING MACHINE. Arrmomlon FILED 001'. 29, 1910.

039 71 3 Patented Oct. 1, 1912.

5 BHEETS-BHBET 1.

I 1 Inc ode-0 I vim a vwewtoc W. S. EATON.

V ETGHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 00129, 1910.

1,039,71 3. Patented Oct. 1, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

l l /5 ml W. s. EATON.

ETOHING MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 1,1912.-

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 29, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

(ipaM 1X i 1-1 macs:

W. S. EATON.

- ETGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 29, 1910. r 1,039,713, Patented Oct. 1, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

WWW

W. S. EATON.

ETCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 001'. 20, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Patented Oct. 1, 1912.

moval of the metallic face of said plate be- WILLIAM s. EATON, or SAG HARBOR, NEW YORK.

ETGHING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedOct.1,1912.

Application filed October 29, 1910. Serial No; 589,667;

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VILLIAM S. EATON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Slag Harbor, in the county of Suffolk and State of New York, have invented Certain new and useful Improvements in Etching Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My invention relates to a machine adapted to mechanically remove thesurface coating upon a plate to be etched, the actual reing accomplished in an acid bath in the usual and well known manner.

The main object of the invention is to provide a machine adapted to remove the wax from the surface of a plate prepared for etching, to reproduce a design, as predetermined by a masterplate or pattern, in the wax upon the surface of said plate in a manner to permit the subsequent acid etch ing of the plate, to reproduce the design of said pattern upon the metallic surface in under-cut or intaglio lines.

A further object is to provide a machine of this typewherein the operativeplane of the needle will be such as to remove the wax only, without marking the surface of the plate in a manner to vary the depth of the acid etched lines, thus insuring uniformity in the action of the acid and in the capacity of lines of the same width to retain ink.

A still further object is to provide a machine of this type wherein the pressure applied to the needle will be controlled by the machine itself and thus eliminate the necessity for any delicacy in the handling of the machine. and permitting it to be 0-perated by practically unskilled labor.

A still further object is to provide a machine of this type wherein the scale of reproduction from a pattern of given dnnen sions may be accurately determined by the adjustment of the machine, thus permitting the production of work of any desired size within the operative scope oft-he machine) without varying the quantity of movement of the stylus point over the pattern, and making the quality of execution of the work dependent upon-the adjustment of the ma chine instead of upon the fineness of touch, or skill, of the operator.

A still furtherobject is to provide ajmachine of this type adapted for commercial work in producing, with accuracy and rapidity, shaded effects in letters or designs,- such as is found in Old English letters.

A still further objectof the invention is to provide a machine of this character wherein the design of the master plate or pattern may be exactly reproduced upon any desired scale, or wherein the reproduction from said master plate may be-distorted, as in expanding or condensingthe letter, or

wherein the reproduction may be pitched either forwardly or backwardly, the character of the reproduction being determined solely the adjustment of the machine.

A st ll furtherobject is to provide quickly operated means for firmly securing the plate to be etched upon its bed, which means may be set to any desired size of plate, and quickly adjusted to and disengaged from said plate to permit the convenient removal thereof for purposes of inspection during the progress of the work.

A still further object is to providea machine wherein the needle may be thrown out of engagement with the plate to permit the removal of the plate without disturbing the waxed surface thereof.

A still further object is to provide a machine wherein all parts will possess suilicient rigidity to prevent such vibrations as would tend to affect-the character of the reproduction.

A still further object is to provide a machine of this type wherein the work bed and the pattern or master plate will occupy relatively fixed planes, the work being accomplished by the movement of. the needle relative to the plate to be etched.

A still further object is to provide in a machine of this type a controlling, or operating handle. for the stylus arm which will remain in substantially the same position relative to the pattern or master plate irrespective of'the movement of the stylus thereover, thus avoiding interference between the stylus arm and thepattern and permitting the stylus point tohe moved over the same without obstructing the field of vision of the operator. And a still further object is, tn provide a machine of this type wherein the support for the needle will be so mounted as to offer substantially no resistance to the movement thereof under the control of the stylus arm.

The invention consists primarily in the embodiment in a machine of the character described of a needle operative upon a single fixed plane, a work bed for supporting a prepared plate in a manner to cause the waxed surface thereof to be within the 0perative plane of said needle, and means for imparting to one of said members, relative to the other, a unlversal movement upon a single plane; and in such other novel fea 'tures of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended. Y

Referring to the drawings :Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying my invention, the lateral movement of the stylus arm and needle carrier being indicated 1n dotted l1nes;,F1g. 2 1s a side elevation of the machine with the longitudinal 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5 of Fig.

1; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section upon the line 6-6 of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a horizontal section upon the line 7"? of Fig. 1; and, Fig. 8 is a vertical section upon the line 8-8 of Fig. at.

Like letters refer the several Views.

A machine made in accordance with my invention, an embodiment of which is shown in the accompanying drawings, is designed solely for preparing wax coated plates for the etching bath; and unlike many types. of engraving machines, does not remove, and is incapable of removing, any portion of the metal of the plate. This essential characteristic eliminates-one of the greatest difficulties of making engraving plates by machine, to wit, the regulation of the depth of the cut to secure uniformity in the quantity of ink secreted in the lines for making the imprint.

A machine such as is shown in the accompanying drawings, embodies therein a work had 10 adapted to hold a prepared plate with to like parts throughout the upper surface thereof upon a fixed plane,

a needle 11 being positioned above the work bed and projected toward it in a manner to cause the operative plane of the needle to coincide with the plane of the prepared plate so as to cause the needle to remove portions of the waxed surface of'the plate without ail'ecting the metal surface of the plate itself. In conjunction with the Work bed and needle, I employ means, for imparting a uni versal movement of one of these parts relative to the other upon the operative planeof the needle, operated in conformity with a I master plate or pattern, the design upon the waxed plate being areproduction of that of the said master plate or pattern To insure the proper relation of the needle and the work bed, and one which will not vary with the repeated operation of the machine, I

mount both of these mechanisms upon'a cy-' lindrical column 12. v

In the form of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, the needle 11 is the movable member, said needle being adjustably mounted upon a Weighted arm 13, piv

otally mounted upon a carriage 14 having a plurality of bearing cups 15, by means of i which said carriage is mounted so as to be ilniversally movable upon a fixed frame 16' mounted upon the central column 12. The frame 16 is provided with a plurality of upwardly presented cups 17 coinciding in position, number and dimensionswith the-cups 15'. Mounted between each pair of cups 15 and 17 is a single bearing ball 18 of a diameter sufficiently small 'to permit the ball to have lineal movement relative to eithercup and thus eliminate any sub-Y stantial' friction between said cups and said balls while permitting a free movement of the carriage 14 in any direction without the necessity for employing superposed carriages moving upon perpendicular tracks, a structure common in engraving machines.

The arrangement of the triangular ball sup ports for the movable carriage minimizes likelihood of a loss of adjustment in said carriage, and by causing the base of the trithe machine to be firmly secured to the col-.

umn by means of the central tie rod 20. By this construction the work bed 10 is positioned between the needle arm 13, and the carriage ll, a construction which permits of an extended support for the latter while so positioning the work bed as to have it clearly within the line of vision of the op} erator. j

The carriage ll is moved by means of a transmitter 21 connected thereto by anniversal, pivotal joint comprising a ring 22 mounted in an opening in said carriage by means of pivot screws 23, and an extended head 2 1 mounted in said ring by means ,of pivot screws 25. I use pivotscrews to facilitate the adjustment of the several bearings and provide each screw with a lock nut in order to avoid a loss of adjustment. The frame 16 below the point of suspension of the transmitter 21, is forked, as shown, to p0 sltion the cups 17 properly and allow a clear field for the movement of the transmitter in actuating the carriage 14. The transmitter 21 extends downwardly so that the stylus 26 may be caused to follow the master plate or pattern 27 carried upon a holder 28 mounted upon the top plate 29 of the machine. Said transmitter being suspended, in the manner above described, from the needle carrier frame, is free to oscillate in any direction; and to cause such oscillations to impart a movement to the needle carriage 14, similar to the movement of the stylus in following the pattern, I provide a universal pivotal bearing intermediate the ends of said transmitter which bearing serves as a fulcrum about which said transmitter oscillates. The pivotal suspension of the trans mitter 21 from the needle carriage 14, causes its lower end to describe-an arc with each oscillation thereof, andto compensate for this are and permit the stylus 26. to follow the pattern, I make the transmitter of two telescoping sections, the lower of which, 30, has the stylus 26 removably mounted therein by means of a socket and set screw.

To prevent the upper pivotal support for the transmitter 21 flOfIl also describing an arc, and thus throw the carriage 14 off. its level, and to compensate for the variance inleverage due to the automatic elongation of the transmitter 21, it is necessary to so construct the intermediate hearing, or fulcrum for said transmitter, asto permit'a variance of the fulcrum point thereof, corresponding with the arc described thereby at the fulcrum point. This results in the transmitter 21 simultaneously oscillating upon its bearings on the carriage 14, and about a fulcrum intermediate its ends, the are described by its free end being compensated for by the automatic variance of the fulcrum point of the transmitter, and the leverage of the arms of said transtmttenrespectively, varying simultaneously and inversely in a proportionate degree, with each changevof the fulcrum point.

The intermediate, fulcrum bearing above referred to comprises a ring 31 pivotally mounted in the bracket 32, carried bythe central column 12, by means of: the pivot screws 33, each of which is provided with a set nut 34. *Pivotally mounted in the r ng 31 is a plurality of oppositely disposed guide 3 shoes 35 conforming to, and adapted to have a close sliding fit with, the transmitter Pivot screws 36 are used in mounting the shoes'35 to permit the adjustment of the said shoes relative to the said transmitter, to avoid lost motion between these parts. Y I

To admit of a variance of the scale of reproduction, the bracket 32 is carried by a collar 37 slidably mounted upon the colunin 12, and adjustable thereon by means of the rack 38 on said column and the pinion 39 carried by said collar. A portion ofsaid collar is split, and said collar and the parts supported therefrom are locked in any adjusted position upon saidcolumn by means of the clamp screw 40 acting upon the splitport-ion ofsaid collar. The vertical adjustment of the collar 37 results in ,a' similar movement of the ring 31 and shoes 35,!relative to the transmitter 21, thus varying the relative length o f the transmitter arms upon' opposite sides of said fulcrum with a r'ea sultant increase or diminutionin the scale of reproduction. g

' The needle arm 13 is 4:1, pivotally mounted in a frame 42 carried by theneedle carriage 14, the rieans of attachment being a (5011311143 attached to the said shaft 41 and projecting tangentially or at right'angles to the axis thereof, and a set screw (14, by means of which said arm may be adjusted relative to said, shaft and'th'e workbed to increase the operative range of .7

connected to a shaft the machine and facilitate its adjustment;

radially of the sliaft 41 about the fixed end as a center, to line up the frame relative to the straight edge" of the work bed, and bring the arm 13 perpendicular to said straightedgel Theadjnsting screws 42" are, mounted in brackets garried by the carriage 14.

p Mounteu pelow the arm 13 and extending at right angles thereto, to an extent "governed by the maximum lateral movement of the carriage 1 1, is a'lifting bar-45 adapted to engage and raisethe said arm in W Y manner to disengage the needle or diamond I point from the coated plate irrespectiveof the position of the carriage 14. Thisbar is supported from av stem 46 and is normally projected upwardly by means of a spring 47 seated between a collar 48 carried by said}.

stem 46, and the frame 16. 1 also provide said stem witha stop collar 49 adaptedji-to engage a boss upon thev underv side-of i-the frame 16 and thus limit-the upward move- I ment of said bar to that required to dlsengage the needle or diamond point' from the:

work plate and prevent the descentgfflge arm (to reengage said plate) with suflicient force to injure the metallic surface of the plate. Carried by the frame of the machine belon the top plate 29 is a crank shaft '50 carrying the cranks 51 and 52 connected respectively with the stem 46 and with a treadle 5S convenient to the foot of the operator, said treadle being normally raisedby the torsion spring. 51 encircling the said shaft.

It will be observed that the pressure upon the needle or diamond point upon the work plate is limited by the weight of the arm 13 which is weighted sufficiently to secure only that slight pressure required to remove the coating from. said plate. The arrangement of lifting bar described permits a practically instantaneous disengagement of the needle from the-plate, said bar having a normal tendency to automatically accomplish such disengagement.

The work bed 10 has centrally thereof a longitudinally extending groove or channel 55, adapted to receive a tongue 56 upon the superposed work bed 57, said sections of the work bed being firmly secured together by means of the set screw 58. The forward edge of the upper bed 57 is provided with the straight edge 59 with which the shaft 11 is trued up in adjusting the needle arm 13. The bed 57 is'also provided centrally thereof with a dove-tailed groove in which ismounted the traveler block 60, mounted upon a feed screw 61. Said block carries a plurality of stops 62 adapted to engage the plate and force it against the straight edge 59, or against a member interposed between said edge and said plate. To insure the proper clamping action of the stops 62 and at the same time permit the plate to be quickly released for purposes of inspection, or the substitution of another plate, without the necessity for .readjusting the said stops,

.1 preferably project the end of the feed screw 61 through the straight edge 59, said projected end having an enlarged head and being encircled by an expansion spring 63 acting between said enlarged head and said straight edge. By this construction the stops 62 need be set only approximately to the dimensions of the plate, the spring ('33 compensating for any inaccuracy in the adjustment of the stops, and said stops setting under the control of said spring solely. This spring also limits the pressure exerted upon the plate when clamped upon the work bed and eliminates any possibility of the buckling-of the plate through carelessness of the operator.

Ta secure good work it is necessary for the operator to chrecly follow the pattern or lua lcrplatc will: the stylus and'to permit th u e of lml'll hands 11] operating the trans lllllll'l' rlml at the same time ai'l'ord a clear hold ill n: to the operator, including the master plate or pattern and the stylus, I provide the section 30 of the transmitter with laterally extending grips 641 preferably pivoted to said section, in order to permit the hands of the operator to move laterally upon a horizontal plane, irrespective of the angle of inclination of the transmitter. These grips 6 1 also facilitate the telescopic action of the two transmitter sections in following the pattern andv permit the concentration upon the transmitter of that force .necessary to gradually and continuously move the carrlage 1 1, which force is minimized by the long leverage at which the transmitter operates.

e I have heretofore described that construction and design used to secure a change in the scale of reproduction, but in order to increase the range of work which may be done upon the machine, I also preferably employ supplemental adjustments for varying the dimensions of the reproduction from a given pattern, irrespective of the scale of reproduction. These variations of dimensions, or distortions, in the reproduction, consist of increasing or diminishing the lateral dimension of the reproduction, or pitching or imparting obliquity thereto in either direction. To accomplish the firstof these adjustments, I provide the ring 31 with a plurality of axially extended lugs 65 having series of bearings therein, as shown in Fig. 2, each of which bearings is adapted to cooperatewith the pivot pins 33. ,As these pivot pins define the axis about which the transmitter 21 oscillates longitudinally of the machine, which axis may be varied solely by the vertical movement of the collar 37 and brackets 32, it will be observed that this adjustment, without affecting the leverage of the longitudinal movement of the transmitter, drops the shoes 35 relative to the pivot pins 33, and thus changes the lateral leverage, increasing the comparative lateral dimension of the reproduction without varying the longitudinal dimension thereof. This adjustment results in the expansion of the letter, or pattern. If it be desired to condense the letter, or pattern, the ring 31 may be inverted, thus shortening the lateral stroke by reason of the raising of the fulcrum point of the transm ter 21. To se-.

carriage 14, due to the deflection above referred to, being prevented by the master plate or pattern.

The operal ion of the herein described ma chine is substantially as follows:The masplate or pattern is first mounted upon the holder 28 and firmly secured in place. If an exact reproduction of the pattern is desired, but upon a reduced scale, the adustment of the machine will he as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The coated plate is then meral 67, the arm 13 will be raised by the surface of the plate 67.

spring 47 acting on its stem 46 so as to raise the needle or diamond point 11 above its operative plane where it will not interfere with the plate 67. The operator then takes the grips 64, one in each hand, and brings the stylus to the starting point upon the pattern. If it be found that the position of the plate is not such as to secure the proper placing of the design thereon, the entire 'arm 13 may be adjusted radially of its supporting shaft 41 to secure the proper position of the needle or diamond point relative to the work plate. The treadle 53 is then depressed, drawing the lifting bar 45 downwardly so as to permit the arm 13 to descend. and the needle 11, under gravity only, to seek its operative level or plane which coincides with that of the prepared The stylus 26, is then moved slowly and continuously over the pattern, transmitting a similar movement, in quantity determined by the scale to which the machine is set, to the carriage 14 and needle point 11. through the oscillation of the transmitter 2130. While the distance between the stylus 26 and the shoes 35 varies-constantly increasing as the stylus moves from a center below the point of sus pension of said shoes, which elongation of the transmitter is deter ined by the arc of a circle, with the ringy2 as a center, there is no variance in the leverage of said transmitter as a whole, as its axial movement relative to the shoes 35 results in asimultaneous increase in the length of the arms of the transmitter on opposite sides of said shoes, with a resultant proportionate, but inverse, variance in the leverage of said arms. but in that ratio determined by the scale to which the machine is set. This ac tion eliminates all of those eccentricities in the reproduction of designs commonly found in pantographic machines. and permits the stylus to be mounted directly upon the transmitter. aid transmitter 21 is free to oscillate in all directions because of its universal point of suspension, and the universally movable fulcrum intermediate its ends, and its oscillations impart universal movement to the carriage 1411 nd its needle 11 through the arm 13. it will be observed that these two universal joints are the only such in the machine, thus minimizing likelihood of a loss of adjustment through wear on the pivots of the universal joints. .It will be observed further that the needle 11, in removing the coatlng from the plate 67, is operative upon a single fixed plane, which plane is defined by the metallic surface of the plate, thus bringing the said coating within the operative plane of the said needle. The needle 11, being an ordinary diamond point, does not chip .the metallic surface of the plate, and bears thereon very lightly, the sole pressure resulting from the weight of the arm 13. Upon the completion of each full stroke of the stylus, as defined by a line upon the master plate or pattern, the treadle 53 is released, the; lift bar- L5 immediately disengaging the needle from the work plate. The pivotal support for the arm 13 permits the engagement and disengagement of the needle 11 from the work plate at the will of theoperator, while permitting the actuation of said needle point upon a single fixed plane, as determined by the face of the work plate, thus also permitting the interruption of the lines of the reproduction, If it be desired to remove the plate either for purposes of inspection or forthe substitution of a new plate. of substantially the same dimensions, it-is merely necessary to press the feed screw 61 toward the straight edge 59, against the tension of the spring 63, thus disengaging the stops 62 from said plate.

After another plate has been substituted,'t-o secure the same in place itis merely necessary to release the screw 61, allowing the spring 63 to accomplish the instantaneous clamping of the plate, said spring at the same time automatically adjusting itself to any variance in the dimensions of the different plates. To vary thescale of reproduction, the clamp screw 40 is loosened and the collar 37, carrying with it the bracket 32, raised or lowered to the desired extent, the graduaticns upon the transmitter 21 facilitating exactit-ute in such adjustment. This adjustment merely varies the fulcrum point of the transmitter, and does not affect the mode of operation of the machine in any other respect. If it be desired to impart obliquity to the reproduction the setscrew 66 is loosened and the bracket 32 tilted tothe le t, as shown'in Fig. 3, or to the right, according to whether or not 1t 1s des1red to impart a forward or backward'tilt to the reproduction. When the bracket 32 is so adjusted, the oscillations of the ring 31 onits pivots in said bracket'will tend to'impart a lateral component of motion to thelongitudinal oscillations of the transmitter, which tendency will he counteracted by the engagement of the stylus 26 with the master plate or pattern, causing a react1'0n upon the needle carriage 14, imparting a lateral cornponent of movement thereto, with the longi tudinal reciprocations of the member 21, without affecting in any way the quantity of lateral movement thereof. If it be desired to extend or condense the letters, the ring 31 will be raised or lowered relative to the bracket 32 in, the manner above referred to, which adjustment, as stated, will vary the leverage of the transmitter as to the lateral strokes without any variance as to longitudinal strokes, a result due solely to the fact that the pivots of the shoes 35 arethe only pivots which are varied by this adjustment.

The universal support for the needle carriage shown in the drawings has been found very effective in use, as the indeterminate run-way for the bearing balls 18 presents so little resistance to the movement of said carriage as to eliminate all substantial wear resulting from friction.

, In making an oblique reproduction, I have found that I can secure more effective work by adjusting thearm 13 toward its shaft 41.

I believe it to be broadly new to provide a pantographic machine wherein the needle is operative upon a single fixed plane, the work bed supports a prepared plate so as to bring the surface thereof within the operative plane of said needle, and means are provided for imparting to one of said members a universal movement upon a single plane, the other member remaining stationary. I also believe it to be broadly new to provide a pantographic machine wherein the transmitter is pivoted intermediate its ends in a man.- ner to cause the oscillations of the transmitter to automatically vary the length of the arms upon different sides of its fulcrum, so as to preserve the exact ratio of these arms as determined by the normal are described bythe opposite ends of the transmitter in im arting movement to the carriage and in fol owing the pattern. It is not my intention to limit the invention to these broad features, however; nor is it my intention to limit myself to the specific details of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, as the design of the machine may be varied without departing from the spirit or scopeof the invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent is 1. ,In a machine of the character described, a needle support operative upon a single fixed plane, a needle fixedly mounted therein, means whereby said arm is automatically actuated to bring said needle into ayielding engagement with and maintaining it in constantrelation to, the surface of a prepared plate, a Work bed for supporting a prepared plate ina manner to cause the prepared surface thereof to be within the operative lane of said needle, and means for impart ing to one of said members, relative to the other, a universal movement upon a single plane.

2. In a machine of the character described,

a needle support operative upon a single.

fixed plane, a needle fixedly mounted there- 1n, means whereby said arm is automatically actuated to bring said needle into a yielding engagement with and maintaining it in constant relation to, the surface of a prepared plate, a work bed for supporting a prepared plate in a manner to cause the prepared surface thereof to be within the operative plane of said needle, one of said members being adapted to have a universal movement upon a single plane, relative to the other, a master plate or pattern support, or holder,

a transmitter suspended by a. universal joint from said movable member, whereby a stylus carried by said transmitter may be moved.

over the pattern, and a fulcrum disposed intermediate the ends, and permitting universal movement, of said transmitter.

3. In a machine of the character described, a needle support' operative upon a single fixed plane, a needle fixedly mounted therein, means whereby said arm is automatically actuated to bring said needle into a yielding engagement with and maintaining it in constant relation to, the surface of a prepared plate, a work bed for supporting a prepared plate in a manner to cause t e prepared surfacethereof to be within the operative plane of said needle, means for imparting to one of said members, relative to the other, I

a universal movement upon a single plane, and means whereby said needle 'may be raised out of its operative plane to make it inoperative.

4. In a machine of the character described, a work bed for supporting a prepared plate upon a fixed plane, a needle supporting arm, a needle fixedly mountedin said arm, said arm being mounted upon horizontal pivots so arranged as to permit movement of said arm toward and from said work bed whereby said needle supportmgarm may be so adjusted as to bring said 'needle within operative relation. to the prepared surface of said plate, means for imparting to'one.

of said members, relative to the other, a universal movement upon a single plane, and means whereby said needle arm may be raised to raise the needle out of its operative plane and make it inoperative. In a. machine of the character described,

a work bed for supporting a prepared plate upon a fixed'plane, a needle supporting arm,

a needle fixedly mounted in said arm,,said

arm being mounted upon horizontal pivots.

so arranged as to permit movement of said arm toward and from said. work bed where said plate, means whereby said arm may be adjusted substantially radially of its pivots, means for imparting to one of said members, relative to the other, a universal movement upon a single plane, and means whereby said needle arm may be raised to raise the needle out of its operative plane and make it inoperative.

6. In amachine of the character described, a needle support operative upon a single fixed plane, a needle fixedly mounted there 1n, means whereby said arm is automatically actuated to bring said needle into a yielding engagement with and maintaining it in con stant relation to, the surface of a prepared plate, a work bed for supporting a prepared plate in a manner to cause the prepared surface thereof to be within the operative plane of said needle, one of said members being adapted to have a universal movement upon a single plane, relative to the other, a master plate or pattern support, or holder, a

transmitter, consisting of a plurality of telescopic sections, suspended by a universal joint from said movable member, whereby a stylus carried by said transmitter may be moved over the pattern, and a fulcrum disposed intermediate the ends, and permitting universal movement, of said transmitter.

7 In a machine of'the character described, a needle operative upon a single fixed plane, a work bed for supporting a prepared plate in a manner to cause the prepared surface thereof to be within the operative plane of said needle, means for imparting to one of said members, relative to the other, a universal movement upon a single plane, means tending to normally raise said needle above its operative plane to make it inoperative, and means making said last named means inoperative whereby said needle is permitted to descend to its operative plane under gravity only.

8. In a," machine of the class described, a tool holder, a work bed, one of said members being universally movable on a single plane, relative to the other, a master plate or pattern support, a transmitter pivotally connected by a universal connect-ion with said movable member, and a fulcrum acting intermediate the ends, and permitting universal movement, of said transmitter, said fulcrum permitting the automatic variance of the fulcrum point on said transmitter, proportionate with the are described thereby, whereby the arms of said transmitter, on opposite sides of its fulcrum, willvary in length in the same ratio as said arms bear to each other.

9. In a machine of the class described, a tool holder, a work bed, one of said members being universally movable upon a single plane, relative to the other, a master plateor pattern, support, a transmitter connected with said movable member by a pivotal connection-having acompound axis, and a fulcrum, acting intermediate the ends of said transmitter, embodying therein a pivotal fulcrum point of said transmitter is automatically varied with the oscillations thereof, in proportion with the are "described thereby,'and the arms of the said transmitter, on opposite sides of its fulcrum, will vary in length in the same ratio as said arms bear to each. other.

10. In a machine of the class described, a tool holder, a work bed, one of said members being universally movable 'upon' a .single plane, relative to the other, a master plate or pattern support, a transmitter connected with said movable member by a pivotal connection having a compound axis, an immovable bracket having pivotally mounted therein an oscillatory frame, or ring, and a plurality of oppositely disposed shoes, having a sliding fit upon said transmitter, pivot-ally mounted in said frame or ring upon an-axis perpendicular to the axis of the pivots supporting said ring, whereby said transmitter is free to oscillate in any directionand to have longitudinal movement in saidshoes to automatically vary the fulcrum point of said transmitter proportionate with the are described thereby, and to vary the length of the arms of said transmitter on the opposite sides of said shoes, in the same ratio as said arms bear to each other.

11. In a machine of the class described, an immovable frame, having a plurality of divergently arranged, indefinite run-ways, a movable frame having a plurality of similar, oppositely disposed run-ways, bearing balls seated between said run-ways and supporting said movable frame, a pivotally supported needle bearing arm carried by said movable frame, an immovable work bed, for supporting a prepared plate, arranged between said movable frame and said needle supporting arm whereby the prepared surfaceof a plate is brought within the operative plane of said needle, zrnd means for imparting to said needle supporting frame or carrier, a universal movement upon a single plane.

12. In a machine of the class described, an immovable frame, having a plurality of divergently arranged, indefinite run-ways, a movable frame having a plurality of similar, oppositely disposed run-ways, bearing balls seated between said run-ways and supporting said'movable frame, a pivotally suported needle bearing arm carried by said movable frame, an immovable work bed,'for supporting a prepared plate, arranged-between said movable frame and said needle supporting arm whereby the prepared surface of a plate is brought within the operative plane of said needle, a master plate or pat tern support, or holder a transmitter suspended by a universal pivotal joint from permitting universal movement, of the said transmitter.

In a machine of the character desc'mbed, a work bed for supporting a prepared plate upon a fixed plane, a needle supportlng' arm, mounted upon pivots so arranged as to permit movement of said arm toward and from 'said'work bed whereby said needle supporting arm may be so adjusted as to bring the prepared surface of "said plate within the operative plane of said needle, means for imparting to one of said members,'relative to the other, a universal movement upon a single plane, and a lifting -bariextending parallel to the pivots of said armwhereby the needle may be raised out p of its operative plane to make it inoperative,

irrespective of the position of the said'supporting arm.

' 14. In .a. machine of the character described, a work bed for supporting a prepared plate upon a fixed plane, a needle supporting arm mounted upon pivots so arranged as to permit movement of said arm toward and from said work bed whereby said needle supporting arm may be so adjusted, as to bringthe prepared surface of said plate within the operative plane of said needle, means for imparting to one of said members, relative to the 0th a universal movement upon a single p ane, a spring tending to normally raise said lifting bar, and means for depressing said bar to bring the needle into engagement with the plate.

15. In a machine of the class described, a tool holder, a work bed, one of said members being universally movable upon a single plane, relative to the other, a master plate or pattern support, a transmitter connected with said movable member by a pivotal connection having a compound axis, an immovable bracket having pivotally mounte ed therein an oscillatory frzane, or ring, a plurality of oppositely disposed shoes, having a sliding fit upon said transmitter, pivotally mounted in said frame, or ring, upon an axis perpendicular to the axis of the piyots supporting said ring, whereby said transmitter is free to oscillate in any direction and to have longitudinal movement in said shoes to automatically vary the fulcrum oint of said transmitter, proportionate with the are described thereby, and to vary the length of the arms of said transmitter on the opposite sides of said shoes, in the same ratio as said arms bear to each other, and means whereby the elevation of said bracket may be varied to vary the scale of reproduction.

16. In a machine of the class described, a tool holder, a work bed, one'of said members being universally movable upon a single plane, relative to the other, a master plate or the scale of the other.

pattern support, a transmitter connected with said movable member by a pivotal connectlon having a compound axis, an immovable bracket having pivotally mounted therein an oscillatory frame, or ring, a plurality of oppos1tely disposed shoes, having a slidmg fit upon said transmitter, pivotally mounted in said frame, or ring, upon an axis perpendicular to the axis of the pivots sup porting said ring, whereby said transmitter 15 free to oscillate in any direct-ion and to have longitudinal movement in said shoes to automatically vary the fulcrum point of said transmitter proportionate with the arc described thereby, and to'vary the length of the arms of said transmitter on the opposite sides of said shoes, in the same ratio as sa d arms bear to each other, and means whereby the elevation of the pivots of said shoes may be varied, relative to the pivots of said ring, to vary the scale of one dimen sion of the-reproduction, without varying 17 In a machine of the class described, a tool holder, a work bed, one ofsaid members being universally movable upon a single plane, relative to the other, a master plate or pattern support, a transmitter connected with said movable member by a pivotal connection having a compound axis, an immovable bracket having pivotally mounted therein an oscillatory frame, or ring, and a plurality of oppositely disposed shoes, having a sliding fit upon said transmitter, pivotally mounted in said frame or ring upon an axis perpendicular to the axis of the pivots supporting said ring, whereby saldtransmitter is free to oscillate in any direction and to have longitudinal movement in said shoes to automatically vary the fulcrum point of said transmitter proportionate with the are described thereby, said to vary the length of the arms of said transmitter on the opposite sides of said shoes, in the same ratio as said arms bear to each other, said ring being provided with diametrically opposite, axially projected lugs having a plurality of oppositely disposed bearings therein whereby the elevation of said ring may be varied to vary the position of said shoes relative to said transmitter without var ing the pivotal point of said ring, and t e scale of reproduction may be varied as to one dimension but not as to the other.

18. In a machine of the class described, a

tool holder, 2. work bed, one of said mem-' pivotal joint having a compound axis, a

master plate or pattern support, or holder, a fulcrum intermediate the ends of sand transmitter comprising a pivotally supported frame having mounted therein upon pivots, the axis of which is perpendicular to that of the pivots of said frame, a member coiiperating with said transmitter, and means whereby the axis of said last named member may be varied relative to said transmitter, without varying the axis of said trams, to vary one dimension of the reproduction without varying the other.

19. In a machine of the class described, a tool holder, a work bed, one of said memhere being universally movable upon a single plane, relative to the other, a transmitter suspended from said movable member by a pivotal joint having a compound axis, a master plate or pattern support, or holder, 2 fulcrum intermediate the ends of said transmitter comprising a pivotally supported frame having mounted therein, upon pivots, the axis of which is perpendicular to the axis of the pivots of said frame, a member cotiperating with said transmitter, means whereby the axis of said last named member may be varied relative to said transmitter, without varying the axis of said frame, to vary one dimension of the reproduction without varying the other, and

means for varying the relation of the pivots of said frame to said transmitter, whereby the scale of reproduction as to both dimensions may be similarly varied.

20. In a machine of the class described, a tool holder, a work bed, one of said members being universally movable upon a single plane, relative to the other, a master plate v or pattern support, or holder, a transmitter .38

suspended from said movable member by a pivotal connection having a compound axis, a pivotally supported frame li'avlng mounted therein by means of pivots, the axis of which is perpendicular to the axis of the pivots supporting said frame, a fulcrum disposed intermediate the ends of said transmitter, and means for imparting an inclination to the pivots of said frame i'vhereby the pitch of the reproduction will vary from the master plate or pattern without varying either dimension of the reproduction from the scale set.

21. In a machine of the class described, a tool holder, a work bed, one of said members being universally movable upon a single plane, relative .to the other, a master plate or pattern support, or holder, a transmitter suspended from said movable member by a pivotal connection having a compound axis,

a pivotally supported frame having mounted therein by means of pivots, the axis of which is perpendicular to the axis of the pivots supporting said frame, a fulcrum disposed lntermediate the ends ofsaid transmitter, means for imparting an inclination to the pivots of said frame whereby the pitch of the reproduction will vary from the master plate or pattern without varyin either dimension of the reproduction from the scale set, and means adjusting the fulcrum of said transmitter .to vary the scale of reproduction.

22. In a machine of the class described, a stylus, a transmitter having pivotally mounted thereon, adjacent to the stylus, a plurality of oppositely disposed, laterally projected grips to permit the operation of the stylus without obstructing the line of 'vision of the operator as to the master plate or pat-tern.

23. In a machine of the class described, a stylus, a transmitter comprising a plurality of telescopic sections, the section carrying the stylus having pivotally mounted thereon a plurality of laterally projected grips whereby the stylus may be guided without obstructing the line of vision of the operator as to the 'master plate or pattern. 7

24. In a machine of the character described, a work bed having a recess therein, atraveler block having stops projecting above the plane of said bed, and a feed screw carried by said bed and controlling said block.

25. In a machine of the character described, a work bed having a recess therein,

a traveler block having stops projecting above the plane of said bed, a feed screw carried by said bed, and controlling said block, arl a spring acting upon said feed screw, whereby said block may be fed separately by said screw, or said screw and said block may be fed simultaneously to close said stops upon the work under spring pressure.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses, this 26th day of October, 1910.

IVILLIAM S. EATON,

"Witnesses:

T. T. WENrwonrrr, P. FRANK SONNEK. 

